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Blue Helix
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Registered: 02/02/03
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How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! 1
#5484818 - 04/05/06 10:11 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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The secret to making a liquid culture complete fast is to use liquid culture to inoculate it and keep it stirring constantly (100 to 300 RPM seems to be about right) with a magnetic stirrer. Many don't realize that by keeping a liquid culture constantly stirring they can reduce their completion times from a week or more to only a couple days. Constant stirring rather than daily hand swishing can reduce colonization times in half (easily). Here is an example of a liquid culture of Pan Cyans that was inoculated with 10 ml of starter liquid culture into about a pint of solution ONLY 48 HOURS after inoculation:

The liberal use of starter solution also shaves days. For example if I used only 5ml of starter above, it would likely have taken 3 days to achieve about that same density. If I had added only 2 ml of starter, it might have taken up to five days. Here's a solution that is 5 days old using only 2 ml of starter LC:

And lastly spore inoculations rather than liquid culture inoculations typically add two days to completion times.
Okay, so where do you get a magnetic stirrer? Try Ebay. The best ones are direct drive, totally silent, and produce no heating on the plate when they are not supposed to. Get one from a good company like Fisher and don't mess with ones that look like junk (they probably are). You can figure a good used one will cost $25 to $50 depending on the exact condition, how quiet it runs, and how well the ad is written. Many come with hot plate ability. That is pretty much totally irrelevant for mycology usage, but keep an eye out for those that run hot even with the plate off (generally you don't get that with the name brand ones like Fisher). And when you get one, DON'T FORGET the Teflon-coated stir magnet! Get a stir magnet about 2" long for optimal quart-jar use. And lastly our very own Agar is a good resource for magnetic stirrer information, so maybe he can chime in here!
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Snaggletooth
Stranger in a Strange Land


Registered: 10/24/05
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5484834 - 04/05/06 10:16 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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this is so cool, I would love to see this. I have been looking at this one, but just cant commit myself to it.
But this post helps
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onetime
onetime


Registered: 11/13/03
Posts: 3,609
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5484915 - 04/05/06 10:36 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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--------------------
See? Yes, with my own three eyes. Depression, Misspells , wanting everying thing i cant have haveing nothing i want
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Blue Helix
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Registered: 02/02/03
Posts: 1,565
Last seen: 11 months, 14 days
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Snaggletooth]
#5484919 - 04/05/06 10:36 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Snaggletooth, that is a hell of a good deal for a new unit and exactly the type you'd want. I don't think any new unit in that class would be any less no matter where you bought it. The only way you are going to fine less expensive is by spending time to look for a used one, which can be taking a chance to be honest. I got pretty lucky with a Fisher IsoTemp unit on Ebay, but they cost twice as much new even under clearance as the unit you are looking at:
http://www.bestlabdeals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BLD20161
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HippieChick
Chicks can do it too!


Registered: 02/20/05
Posts: 5,958
Loc: Midwest
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix] 1
#5484920 - 04/05/06 10:36 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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I've been thinking about getting one. Not for this reason, I usually have between 3-5 gallons of LC on hand always, but just because it's a toy I don't have yet 
Peace,Love,Happiness and Harmony Hippie Chick
-------------------- Peace,Love and Happiness HC Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose.............. I LUV My Greenhouse http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/5545848#5545848 My First Pans http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/6212058#6212058
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Blue Helix
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Registered: 02/02/03
Posts: 1,565
Last seen: 11 months, 14 days
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5484929 - 04/05/06 10:39 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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onetime, I bought one that looked like that and it ran pretty hot, so I don't use it. I had to add lots of silver bubble insulation between the quart jar and the surface to keep the liquid under 90F, and I can only imagine the juice it was drawing to make the plate that warm. I wouldn't recommend that one.
Nah, here's more what you want:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Corning-PC310-Magnet...1QQcmdZViewItem
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onetime
onetime


Registered: 11/13/03
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Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5484935 - 04/05/06 10:41 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Oh thats sucks good that some one was able to point that out...
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See? Yes, with my own three eyes. Depression, Misspells , wanting everying thing i cant have haveing nothing i want
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Blue Helix
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Registered: 02/02/03
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Last seen: 11 months, 14 days
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: onetime] 1
#5484954 - 04/05/06 10:45 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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onetime, remember what I said about if it looks like junk it probably is? Get one that looks sleek and like it was made in the last decade. The old units were loud (if belt driven) or run too warm. The newer units are silent and run cool with a direct drive. To do direct drive with a brushless motor--and that's what they have to use since they are designed to be stirring for years on end--you have to have a brushless speed controller which were not real common until 90s when variable-speed CD drives made them become super cheap and common.
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HippieChick
Chicks can do it too!


Registered: 02/20/05
Posts: 5,958
Loc: Midwest
Last seen: 3 years, 5 months
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5484963 - 04/05/06 10:47 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Those are nice units . I bought the Corning heat plate that looks exactly like it to run one of my PC's. It has an additional stir plate accessory, just haven't gotten it yet. Top quality equipment though And that's a good price. Might have to keep an eye on that . Thanks I like for my equipment to match,lol.

Peace,love,Happiness and Harmony Hippie Chick
-------------------- Peace,Love and Happiness HC Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose.............. I LUV My Greenhouse http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/5545848#5545848 My First Pans http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/6212058#6212058
Edited by HippieChick (04/05/06 10:55 PM)
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Blue Helix
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: HippieChick]
#5484990 - 04/05/06 10:56 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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HippieChick, you REALLY are a chick (or being more proper a lady). LOL Never saw your face but I know now for sure it's true!
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Snaggletooth
Stranger in a Strange Land


Registered: 10/24/05
Posts: 6,109
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Last seen: 7 years, 2 months
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5484993 - 04/05/06 10:57 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Damn....I hoped you'd would say it was no good, but now I just had to ordered it...lol...
thanks man, well this should be interesting
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Blue Helix
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Registered: 02/02/03
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Snaggletooth]
#5485001 - 04/05/06 11:00 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Should be a great little unit Snaggletooth. In the long haul it'll be worth every penny if you do any growing at all. I use mine to grow ALL types of mushrooms, not just magic ones. Reshi, Shiitake, oysters - all of them do well using liquid culture techniques and my trusty stir plate.
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IGnosticAbhorI
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Registered: 11/06/04
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5485005 - 04/05/06 11:02 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Blue Helix said: HippieChick, you REALLY are a chick (or being more proper a lady). LOL Never saw your face but I know now for sure it's true!
...Oh yeh, lol.
Anyways, back on topic :P
How exactly do they work? I've read up on them somewhat and still don't really understand it. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Tc
-Gnostic
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Snaggletooth
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Registered: 10/24/05
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5485016 - 04/05/06 11:04 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Blue Helix said: Should be a great little unit Snaggletooth. In the long haul it'll be worth every penny if you do any growing at all. I use mine to grow ALL types of mushrooms, not just magic ones. Reshi, Shiitake, oysters - all of them do well using liquid culture techniques and my trusty stir plate.
Yes I have been slowly expanding my horizon...thanks to those who teach
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Blue Helix
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Last seen: 11 months, 14 days
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5485025 - 04/05/06 11:07 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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IGnosticAbhorI, basically you have a magnet in the stir plate under the plate that spins. Any magnet (or even piece of magnetic metal like say a paper clip or iron nail) on top will couple with the bottom magnet and spin with the same frequency. The magnet moving in circles in a liquid culture induces motion into the liquid. Additionally, the magnet can slice large blobs of mycelium into smaller pieces so blobs don't form in the liquid or on the surface. This constant motion benefits the liquid culture by promoting rapid gas diffusion at the surface. That means the mycelium can BREATH better.
A LITTLE TIP FOR EVERYONE HERE- You can buy a little silicon or neoprene tubing and stretch a tiny piece over the center of your Teflon magnet to silence the clinking sounds against the glass. It will act like a bumper. I highly recommend it.
Edited by Blue Helix (04/05/06 11:14 PM)
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IGnosticAbhorI
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5485043 - 04/05/06 11:14 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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That's what I was wondering, whether or not you actually had something inside of the jar (piece of metal)...
Clears a lot up, lol.
Thanks 
-Gnostic
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Blue Helix
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: IGnosticAbhorI]
#5485056 - 04/05/06 11:18 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yes, the most common magnets are Teflon-covered magnets that look something like these (these are 3" long which are little longer than I like):

As Teflon is an amazing plastic that doesn't melt (used to protect astronauts in space even) a magnet like this can be pressure cooked and even heated to several hundred of degrees without any damage to it.
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IGnosticAbhorI
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix] 1
#5485062 - 04/05/06 11:20 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Damn those are big, lol.
That's some tough fucking plastic. 
-Gnostic
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Blue Helix
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: IGnosticAbhorI]
#5485074 - 04/05/06 11:25 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yeah, Teflon is a pretty bad ass plastic. It can survive temperatures of up to around 600F without any problem. They coat many cooking pans with it too because oils and water always keep the inside of a pan well below 600F and it's slippery so food just falls off it without sticking to the pan. Yeah, not all plastics are created equal for sure.
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Snaggletooth
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Re: How to make a liquid cultures FAST (like two days)! [Re: Blue Helix]
#5485085 - 04/05/06 11:31 PM (18 years, 2 months ago) |
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not to get off topic but isn't it also toxic....like if Teflon was to get in the grow process?
I mean I have learned that with a Macaw I had to get rid of ALL the Teflon coated pans...Cause if they over heat the fumes will kill the bird.
Or is toxicity (if any)not a concern here?
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